Heading into the weekend the Astros hold a 7.5 game lead on Oakland for the division. Magic number still 8.

Astros will be in KC. Cole, Grienke, and Miley will start.

Oakland plays Arlington.

The Yankees took 3 of 4 from Detroit. They hold a 2 game lead over Houston for best record in the AL and will play in Toronto.

Cleveland and Minnesota have a big series, mostly from Cleveland's perspective. Twins are 5 games back of Houston.

We cannot hope to beat good teams playing hard with less than our best. Yuli and Correa out, our AAA slugger up in a very crucial AB, Hinh’s stubbornness on testing players, Miley’s woes, injuries to important bullpen pitchers.

The As are damn good and are tough outs no matter who we pitch. The last two games were winnable, but they played and pitched better in crunch time than we did.

We cannot hope to beat good teams playing hard with less than our best. Yuli and Correa out, our AAA slugger up in a very crucial AB, Hinh’s stubbornness on testing players, Miley’s woes, injuries to important bullpen pitchers.

The As are damn good and are tough outs no matter who we pitch. The last two games were winnable, but they played and pitched better in crunch time than we did.

We just have to make the playoffs before we worry about that. I think the A's were playing a bit harder than the Astros - like they had more to fight for. I think both teams have a lot to fight for though the A's are under more pressure than the Astros, but that can change when one is lackadaisical.

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''I just did an interview with someone I like more than you. I used a lot of big words on him. I don't have anything left for you.'' --Brad Ausmus

That's a good point, which I realized after re-reading your post. I apologize. For whatever reason I took your post as being worried about this team come playoff time. I'm concerned, mainly because I want to see the Correas and Presslys of the world make it back...but if we get everyone back I think our boys will step it up when the lights shine the brightest. We were ready to roll last year with the same big lead, coasting into the playoffs. We just had too many players banged up at the end of the day IMO.

That's a good point, which I realized after re-reading your post. I apologize. For whatever reason I took your post as being worried about this team come playoff time. I'm concerned, mainly because I want to see the Correas and Presslys of the world make it back...but if we get everyone back I think our boys will step it up when the lights shine the brightest. We were ready to roll last year with the same big lead, coasting into the playoffs. We just had too many players banged up at the end of the day IMO.

To clinch AL #1 seed: 8 vs. Yankees- Astros only need to tie the Yankees to clinch due to head-to-head advantage, 4-3

To clinch MLB #1 seed: 8 vs. Yankees, 6 vs. Dodgers- Astros only need to tie the Yankees to clinch due to head-to-head advantage, 4-3- Astros only need to tie the Dodgers to clinch due to better intradivision record (currently), 49-18 vs. 43-24; both teams have 9 division games remaining

To clinch AL #1 seed: 8 vs. Yankees- Astros only need to tie the Yankees to clinch due to head-to-head advantage, 4-3

To clinch MLB #1 seed: 8 vs. Yankees, 6 vs. Dodgers- Astros only need to tie the Yankees to clinch due to head-to-head advantage, 4-3- Astros only need to tie the Dodgers to clinch due to better intradivision record (currently), 49-18 vs. 43-24; both teams have 9 division games remaining

Head to head means nothing vs the As. The Astros have to win outright or play a 163rd game to determine division winner.

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The rules of distinction were thrown out with the baseball cap. It does not lend itself to protocol. It is found today on youth in homes, classrooms, even in fine restaurants. Regardless of its other consequences, this is a breach against civility. A civilized man should avoid this mania.